Pasadena Fire Department Appoints Two Deputy Chiefs

(L-R) Anthony James and Tim Sell (Photos – City of Pasadena)

Pasadena Fire Chief Chad Augustin announced the selection of Anthony James and Tim Sell as the department’s Deputy Chiefs.

By News Desk

“They both bring their respective skill sets, experience and extensive management knowledge and are widely recognized as progressive leaders in the fire service,” stated Chief Chad Augustin.

Tim Sell

Tim Sell, a father of two boys who recently celebrated his 17th wedding anniversary, began his career in 2007 after serving as the COO of a family business for ten years. During that time he obtained a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership. Shortly after completing probation, he attended Paramedic school and he spent several years working on the rescue ambulance.  In early 2020 he was promoted to Battalion Chief and assigned to the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Division. He led the EMS Division during the most challenging times of COVID and assisted other departments within the City and was the liaison with the Health Department.

Anthony James

Anthony James, originally from Denver, Colorado, moved to Southern California after graduating from Syracuse University in upstate New York. Prior to the fire service, he worked at United Talent Agency in the Television Literary Department where he focused on client representation and contract negotiations for television writers and directors. After five years in the entertainment industry, he decided to switch careers. Being from a service-oriented family, he realized that his calling was in helping others. His father ran a non-profit organization working with serious youth offenders providing job skills, employment, improved social functioning, and alternative schooling. His mother continues to work as an elementary school teacher, his brother is a Lieutenant for Denver Fire Department, his sister runs an Emergency Department in Dallas, Texas and his younger brother works for a start-up reverse logistics technology company (not quite a public servant, but his wife handles fundraising for a member of the Walton family). In the summer of 2006, he was hired with the Pasadena Fire Department where he has held the positions of Firefighter, Engineer, Captain and Battalion Chief. He recently received certification as a Chief Fire Officer, completed the Carl Holmes Executive Development Institute (leadership program), Leadership Pasadena, and became state-qualified as a Strike Team Leader.

Chief Augustin added:

I am extremely proud of the professionalism of the Pasadena Fire Department, and the talent within its ranks. Our organization prides itself on teamwork, service to our community and a sense of family.